Criterion for the Superiority of the Prophets in View of the Qur ān and Ḥadīth

In religious thought, Prophets enjoy certain characteristics in comparison to the rest of the people who are deprived of them. However, there is controversy as to whether the Prophets themselves enjoy certain characteristics in comparison to one another. Some believe that there is no distinction between the Prophets; and some maintain that some Prophets are superior to the others and refer to them as possessors of determination (ulū al-‘aẓm). They regard the criterion for the distinction of the ulū al-‘aẓm Prophets to be having a scripture, a sharī‘a (religious law), a global mission, the status of leadership (imamate), and enjoying knowledge. However, since these are not acquired advantages and the difference between the Prophets’ real person and their legal entity is in their acquired advantages, this article, by studying the āyas and traditions, has reached the conclusion that the criterion for the superiority of the ulū al-‘aẓm Prophets, besides legal advantages, is their real and acquired advantages such as: precedence in acknowledging Divine Lordship, steadfastness in Divine covenants, multiplied attempts in spreading monotheism, forbearance and resistance against the enemies of God, and outstanding moral conduct in their interaction with people.